Avocado - Mexicola Grande - Cold hardy - Autumn ripening

This is a very unique and interesting avocado variety, which produces shiny black skinned fruit, with a bright yellow and green flesh. The skin is very thin and edible, and they can be eaten like an apple. Some uses for the this variety is to chop it up (leaving the skin on) and putting them in salads, wraps etc to benefit from the extra fibre and taste. The fruit are about the size of an average to large Hass, larger than the Mexicola variety but have similar qualities. The tree is fast growing, very attractive and has larger, rounder leaves than most other avocado trees. Fruit ripens in Autumn.

Mexicola Grande is the second most cold hardy and frost tolerant variety in the country after Mexicola once established, and is suitable for growing in coastal conditions.  Frost protection is required until the tree is established.

Mexicola Grande is an A flowering type, and although avocado trees in our climate are self fertile, they do produce more fruit if 2 are planted near each other with opposing flower types. If you're looking for a B type companion for this tree that is also cold hardy, consider Edranol, Jim or Bacon. Mexicola Grande ripens in Autumn, so any of the mentioned B types will ripen at a different time of year, extending your harvest.

When will it start producing fruit? Our avocado trees are grafted, so will flower in spring and if pollinated, will set fruit. Ideally this fruit should be picked off to allow the tree to establish. In the second year, if the tree has established itself you can let the start producing.

Our trees are grafted onto Zutano rootstock, and are around 110-130cm tall including the bag.

Avocado trees are generally easy to care for, but here are a few tips to help ensure your tree thrives:

1. Plant your tree in well-draining soil in a sunny location. Protect from wind and frost when young.

2. Water your tree regularly, but be careful not to over-water. Avocado trees prefer to be kept evenly moist, but not waterlogged. If planting in a clay soil, it is important to either create a mound, or build a raised planter box to plant your tree into. This helps keep the sensitive feeder roots out of the wet zone.

3. Fertilise your tree with a balanced fertiliser twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer.

4. Prune your tree regularly to remove any dead or damaged branches, and to shape the tree to promote good fruit production.